Garang Kuol in action for Newcastle United against the A-League All Stars at Marvel Stadium on Friday evening. Photo by AAP/Joel Carrett
Alou and Garang Kuol are living their dream and nobody can stop them.
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This past week has been filled with pulsating, pinch-me moments for the star Shepparton boys, with Alou’s A-League grand final win on Saturday succeeding Garang’s full Newcastle United debut the day before.
Yes, there were questions about the 19-year-old winger's readiness.
But following his cameo, when he scored a goal off the bench for the Magpies against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, and his performance against the A-League All Stars on Friday, nothing can be taken away from the Goulburn Valley product.
He has now played for a Premier League club — a rare achievement for an Australian.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe handed Garang Kuol his debut against Spurs in the MCG-hosted midweek friendly, subbed on as a lone striker for Callum Wilson in the 71st minute.
The speedster has had limited first-team action recently, and it was evident as he struggled to get involved, with fewer than a handful of touches in about 20 minutes of play.
However, Kuol scored from 12 yards, helping Newcastle defeat Spurs 5-4 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
The Goulburn Valley Suns graduate then started in a youthful and undercooked Magpies side that lost 8-0 to the A-League All Stars, supplied with a dearth of opportunities during the rout.
Then it was his big brother’s turn.
Alou Kuol started for Central Coast Mariners in Saturday’s decider against Melbourne Victory, a club that turned him down on trial some five years ago.
There was no love lost, shown in the 20th minute when Kuol’s head split open from an accidental but nasty first-half clash with Damien Da Silva.
Alou Kuol receives assistance from teammates after a head clash with Damien Da Silva during the A-League grand final. Photo by AAP/Dan Himbrechts
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DAN HIMBRECHTS
Blood coated the striker’s bleached-white hair and, despite being bandaged up and playing on until half-time, the head wound forced Kuol off the park at the break.
Victory took the lead five minutes after the restart, but the Mariners, thanks to Ryan Edmonson, pushed the game into extra time with a stoppage-time goal.
Two more Mariners goals in extra time secured a famous 3-1 championship win at Industree Stadium, completing a treble-winning season after their earlier AFC Cup and A-League premiership victories.
Kuol, in a heartfelt message posted on X, reflected on his team's remarkable season upon returning to the coast.
“These (are) the boys that won the treble…(it’s) never been done before in Australia,” the statement read.
“Since 2019 I knew these boys were special, this club is special. We won off the power of friendship and the desire to help one another because that’s what this club is: one in all in, win lose draw.
“I came off injured and Maxy (Max Balard) said don’t worry about it we will win this for you.
“I knew they’d do it because when our backs (are) against the wall, we pull something outta nowhere.
“Shout out (Nick) Montgomery and Serg (Sergio Raimundo) for giving me an opportunity to play football for CCM and helping me start up my career in professional football when nobody gave me a chance in Victoria, (the) best decision made was coming to the coast no cap.”
